Albert l



(No Model.)

A. L. PITNEY.

ROPE OR LINE CLASP.

No. 357,856. Patented Feb. 15,1887.

N. PETERS. Phnlo-LHMgrIph-r, wzshinpon. D, C.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT L. PITNEY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ROPE OR LlN E'. CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 357,856, dated February 15, 1887.

Application filed November 8, 1886. Serial No. 218,358. (No model.)

Line Clasps, of which the following is a full,

,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which like letters refer to like parts in the device.

Figure I is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved cord-fastener.with the cord in position as in actual use. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of Fig. 1 at w 00. Figs. 3, 4:, and 5 are perspective views of the lever, showing the opening for the cord in the long arm. Fig. 6 is a perspective face view of the fastener when combined with alabel-holder. Fig. 7 is a vertical crosssection of Fig. 6 at m m. Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the clasp, with an opening in the side of case for convenience in relieving tension when the device is used as an awning or sail holder.

My present invention has for its object a simple and reliable automatic device for fastening cords, &c., and to obviate the necessity of tying and untying and the labor incident thereto.

I am aware that heretofore cord-fasteners have been constructed with levers pivoted away from their ends, and have found in actual practice that this manner of construction is.

faulty, the cord being compelled to deflect too much from a direct line to run smoothly. This fault is disastrous to a perfect fastener, and is most apparent when attempting to release the cord.

The object of my present invention is to overcome and remove the objectionable features and to lessen the cost of manufacture.

My invention consists in a case through which the line is passed and a clamping device that is by the strain upon the rope made to press the same tightly against the bottom. of the case.

This improved clasp may be constructed in various forms and its parts in a variety of ways without involving any difference in principle. Some of the different forms which have suggested themselves have, however, their own special advantages, and in Fig. 1 I have shown the construction preferred.

In order that others skilled in the art or manufacture may fully understandmy invention, I will particularly describe the construction preferred, and regard the same as typi;

cal of all, reference being had tothe accompanyingdrawings.

A represents a long, narrow, open case or retainer, of metal or any other suitable mate: rial, that, with the lever placed in proper position, forms a complete line-c] asp. The case at the front end, a, is drawn down and closed on top so there is just room enough to allow of the passage of the cord. This is for the purpose of keeping the endof the cord below the free end of the lever, that there may always be a bearing upon the lever and a pressure upon the cord where it passes under the toothed or projecting under face of the lever.

B represents a lever with an opening, d, at the end to allow the'passage of the cord, in order to form a bearing thereon when the strain or draw is toward the front end of the clasp.

O is a shoulder to form a stop to prevent raising the lever too high The lever may be used in the same clasp singly or in duplicate, &c., as desired, there being one lever for each cord.

D represents an ordinary label holder, that is attached to and acts as a bottom to the case Awhen itis desired to combine the cord-fastener with a label-holder.

To open the clasp or release the cord, take hold of the exposed end of the lever, raise, and draw toward you.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. In a cord-fastener, the combination of th case with the lever pivoted at its rear end to the upper sides of the case, and also having an opening through the other end to retain the cord, and provided with a toothed or raised surface on the lower part for clamping the cord to the case, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a cord-fastener, the combination of the case with the lever pivoted at its rear end to the upper sides of the case. and also having an opening through the other end-to retain the cord, and provided with a toothed or raised surface on the lower part for clamping provided with an elbow or arm for retaining no the cord, and with a shoulder on the upper the cord, and a shoulder on the upper rear rear part to prevent raisingthe lever too high part to prevent raising the lever too high when relieving the tension of the cord, sub- When relieving the tension of the cord, substantially as shown and described. I stantially as shown and described.

3. In a cord-fastener, the combination, with ALBERT L. PITNEY. the case provided with a' guide at its front \Vitnesses: end, of the lever pivoted at its rear end to the E. T. MORRIS,

upper sides of the case, the other end being R. 1?. LANE. 

